Furness says each state's different legislation is a key reason child adoption in Australia is such a lengthy process.

"All the states have to be on the same page," she said.

"We have just been given funding by New South Wales government to champion that pre- and post-adoption support, which is imperative for ethical adoption. I'm hoping every other state comes on board with that as well."

Furness also says an "anti-adoption culture" within the bureaucracy is stalling the progress.

"We need to revisit why it's not working, and create systems and methodologies that make it work so that these numbers can go up," she said.

Chief executive officer of Adopt Change, Renee Carter, is hoping for a national scheme to support child adoption.

"There definitely needs to be a harmonisation of what's happening. The child protection issues are the same in every state," she said.